The Book, The Witches, and the Doorway (Fated Chronicles Book 1)

by Humphrey Quinn

  “Don’t worry, Col. He figured us out ages ago, even before we did.”

  “I thought we hid it pretty well,” said Colin.

  “That’s what I thought, too,” replied Meghan dryly. She sent Colin a transcript of the last few minutes’ conversation. Arnon seemed to understand this and gave them time to finish.

  “To be honest,” started Arnon, when it looked as though they were done, “I’ve heard of twins having a secret language only each other can understand, but… I think you guys are a little different, so…”

  “So we shouldn’t go telling people about it,” guessed Colin smartly.

  Arnon smiled. “Since Sebastien knows, that’s fine. He’s a good friend, and I do not think it’s something he would ever use against you.”

  “Sebastien, never,” Meghan defended. “Besides, what do Colin or I have that people could hold over us, other than telepathy?” she added sarcastically. “And it’s not with just anyone, only the two of us.”

  Her uncle replied with a silent, but disquieted gaze.

  “We will, of course, be careful regardless. Because like you said, not everyone is as cool and understanding as you are.” She got up and gave her uncle a quick hug. Before she could let go, Arnon gave them one last warning.

  “I know you are both careful, but just remember that both Sebastien and I guessed, so others could, too.”

  “We will do our best, Uncle Arnon,” insisted Colin.

  Meghan nodded in agreement.

  Colin joined Meghan for a hot blackberry cider before heading to bed. It was a relief to have their secret out in the open; they had always felt guilty for not telling their uncle, but had honestly feared the consequences.

  Meghan finished her cider, moved a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer, emptied the trash, and washed up a few dirty dishes. As she finished, Colin dropped his empty mug in the sink. She frowned, deciding to leave it there until morning.

  “Off to bed now both of you. Long day tomorrow.”

  “Long day?” they asked in confused unison.

  Their uncle stuttered before changing his phrasing.

  “What I meant to say is, it has been a long day today, and we all have a whole new day to get through tomorrow, which will be longer than today if we do not get our rest after a long exhausting day like today.”

  The twins eyed him, distrustfully, but went off to bed.

  “Are you starting to get the feeling Uncle Arnon is up to something?” asked Meghan.

  “Maybe he was nervous about admitting he knew our secret.”

  “Yeah, probably. Or maybe it’s our birthday party!” squealed Meghan, instantly sidetracked by the idea of presents. “I wonder what he’s planning.”

  “Night, Sis,” sighed Colin. He could sense by her wandering thoughts that discussing any topic other than birthday presents would be a useless endeavor.

  “Yeah, night, Col,” she whispered back. She fell asleep minutes later dreaming of what wonderful gifts Sebastien would buy her.

  Meghan’s excitement leaked into Colin’s subconscious while sleeping. He opened the block, just a little, allowing her happiness to envelop him. It was a pleasant way to fall asleep.

  Shortly after, Colin jumped awake, remembering the previous night’s fiery dream.

  “No. I have to keep the block in place! No repeats of last night!” he whispered, determined. “We have to keep our dreams to ourselves, if nothing else.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Meghan and Colin waited at the secret path’s edge for Sebastien. It was the first day of the Blue Moon Festival, which only took place during a summer that happened to have two full moons in one month. Mainly, the festival attracted tourists, but locals could often be spotted weaving through the crowds, too. It was a grand festival, with food, music, a flea market (Colin’s favorite) and a few old carnival rides no one was ever sure were safe to ride, but did anyway.

  While they waited for Sebastien, the twins wandered down the camp road toward the gypsy camp, hoping to catch Jae and say goodbye one last time. He was nowhere in sight.

  Footsteps scraped across the gravel behind them. Hoping it was Sebastien, they spun around, but rather than their friend, the twins were accosted by two tall stacks of packages. In attempts to avoid crashing into the twins, the two people carrying the packages jumped out of the way, causing the packages to fall and scatter all over the camp road.

  An older, steely-faced and unfamiliar young man stood by a familiar one; the familiar face began anxiously picking up his scattered packages.

  “Hey guys, sorry,” said Jae, sounding distressed.

  “It’s a wonder you could walk at all, carrying all that,” said Meghan.

  “Let us help you the rest of the way,” insisted Colin, already picking up a package.

  The unknown young man, dressed in a casual sports jacket, had already picked up his packages and was leaving Jae behind. He said nothing, but eyed him with a stern coldness as he walked by. His gaze lifted, grazing Meghan. She noted hints of suspicion and distrust.

  Ugh. I hate him. Could she really know this, so soon after meeting someone?

  Yes. Meghan could tell just from one encounter that she loathed him. He must be a miserable person, she decided.

  The young man scowled. Meghan lifted her chin in silent defiance. He tossed Jae a last silent warning and disappeared around the corner.

  “Is that boy always so friendly?” questioned Meghan hotly.

  “Ivan? He’s not so much unfriendly as all about business.”

  “All about business?” Colin repeated.

  “Hates wasting time, always working, that sorta thing.”

  “Well. Never mind him,” said Meghan. “Let us help you get back, Jae.”

  “No!” he replied hastily. “I mean, thanks, but I got it. Really.”

  “Are you sure? ‘Cause it’s no bother,” she said.

  “No, I’ll be fine. I gotta hurry though. They will be expecting me back by now.”

  The twins piled the last packages back onto Jae’s arms.

  “I hope you didn’t get into trouble yesterday for getting home so late,” said Colin.

  “Yesterday?” he appeared deep in thought. “Oh, that. Um, it was… okay.”

  The twins were not entirely sure they believed him.

  “Sorry I can’t hang longer,” Jae added tiredly. “So many things to do today.” He trudged toward his campsite. “Maybe our path’ll cross again sometime.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” shouted Colin.

  “Good luck, wherever you go next,” Meghan hollered.

  “Thanks. Same to you,” Jae echoed back.

  “Wonder where they are heading with such a big group?” she asked.

  “Can’t imagine,” replied Colin. “It must be a ton of work. It’s a lot with only you, me, and Uncle Arnon. There must be two hundred of them all together.”

  Sebastien materialized from the secret path. “Hey guys.”

  “Finally,” said the twins in unison.

  “Sorry. Got held up helping my dad with something.”

  The twins forgot about Jae and his caravan, and the trio headed into town. Their uncle and the Jendayas were going to join them later.

  It was about a mile walk down a winding country road, which opened up to a sunny clearing about halfway to the town. The thick pines gave way to birches and maples, surrounded by vast, blueberry bush covered fields. The surface of a small lake shimmered in the distance as the trio walked passed a graveyard, which indicated their arrival into the town of Cobbscott, Maine.

  Music streamed through the breeze, followed by the hum of a crowd behind it. They quickened their pace, and Meghan, wanting to make sure her hair and clothes were just right, said aloud, by accident, “Hope I look okay.” She did not get the response she expected.

  “I think you look great!” said Sebastien, grinning. It fell a bit, and with a stammer he added, “You were not talking to me, were you?”

  Colin did not
wait for the two of them to get over their awkwardness. He continued onward, making a nasty face at Meghan as he passed by.

  “Not exactly,” admitted Meghan, blushing. “But, thanks.”

  “I meant what I said. You always look great! Though, I’m especially partial to when you wear slimy lake plants and leeches in your hair.”

  She humpfed and hit him in the shoulder. They hurried to catch up with an outwardly annoyed Colin. As soon as they were in Cobbscott, they went directly to the music. A rock band played, so they listened and danced. After a full set of music, Colin sent Meghan a thought saying he was bored and was going to the flea market. She noticed agitation in his voice.

  “We’ll find you later, okay?” she said. Meghan sensed him throwing angry thoughts at her and called out, “Now what?”

  Sebastien threw a questioning gaze her direction.

  “Oh, not you. Colin, mad at me again.”

  “For what? Something I couldn’t hear you guys arguing about?” he asked, slightly miffed.

  “Well, yes and no.” She stalled, not wanting to admit they were fighting over his attention.

  “Anything you want to share?” Sebastien prodded. His handsome eyes peeled into the layers of her skin and she nearly let the truth fly.

  “I think we should just go find Colin,” she mustered out. “I have a feeling he might get into trouble. Those same bullies are around, and I’m the only one…”

  “Who gets to bully my little brother... I haven’t forgotten, Meghan.” He got a curious expression on his face. “Why do you call him your little brother anyway? Isn’t he technically older than you by a few minutes?”

  “He’s small,” she shrugged. “An easy target for trouble. He always needs my help.”

  “Don’t you think you should stop sticking up for him so much? I mean, what would happen if you were not around? It’s bound to happen.”

  Meghan stared at him, baffled. He was talking way too much like a grown up.

  “Why would I not be around?” she asked testily.

  “It’s always a possibility. You’re not going to be fourteen forever, things change.”

  “I’m not fourteen yet, I’m turning thirteen next week, remember?” She was getting upset now. How could he forget how old she was? “Let’s just go find Colin,” she said. “He enjoys spending time with you. You are the big brother he’ll never have.” She rolled her eyes as if her brother was intruding on her life.

  Sebastien followed, dropping the subject.

  They found Colin deep in the flea market, in a tent far away from the others. It was full of old books, antiques, and knickknacks that seemed to have no purpose.

  “Hey guys,” he beamed. He had not expected them to come find him. He pointed to a tattered looking old man behind the counter. His long white hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he leaned on a cane.

  “This is Jasper Thorndike. He owns all of this.”

  The man nodded hello.

  They waited patiently as Jasper showed Colin around the store. Meghan and Sebastien were only partially listening, but tried to act interested. On more than one occasion, they caught each other’s eye and tried not to laugh.

  They were finally about to leave when Colin stopped to browse over some books he had missed. At that same moment, Jasper Thorndike came out from behind the counter. He spoke with a grizzled voice.

  “I can’t help but notice you like my books.”

  “I would take them all if I could,” Colin responded.

  “Don’t you have enough already?” argued Meghan.

  He ignored her, his eyes glued to an antique velvet-covered book the white-haired man pulled out of his vest. Jasper set it gently on the counter, pronouncing the title, seeing that Colin was not sure how to.

  “Magi-cantee… magic and then antee… like ante up, put together.”

  “Magicante,” Colin repeated, enthralled.

  Meghan and Sebastien glanced over his shoulder and watched as he opened it, carefully.

  “Wow, what are these?” Colin asked Jasper.

  “A collection, a pretty darn good one, and one I would only entertain selling to the right buyer.”

  Inside the book was a collection of thickly textured exotic leaves, colored in deep browns and reds, with glimmers of gold. They measured four to five inches wide and were equally long. Meghan could see that Colin would not leave without the book. He loved collections, and this one was unique.

  “These aren’t from around here, are they?” he asked, captivated. Deeper in, the leaves glimmered with yellows, greens and silver.

  “No, I dare say they are not! However, I am not at liberty to say where they came from, since I reckon I don’t rightly know.”

  Sebastien and Meghan watched as Colin flipped through the collection.

  “That book there is yours for the rock bottom price of five dollars.”

  “Are you serious? Just five?” Colin was already reaching into his allowance money. But when he went to hand over the money, Jasper's face lit up with a mischievous grin.

  "Tell you what, you, um, hold onto the book for me. I know it'll be in good hands."

  "I don't mind paying for such a beautiful book."

  Jasper shrugged. "Which is why I know you're the perfect owner. And besides, if I give you that book, you can browse and buy another."

  Hard to argue that point. And it didn't take Colin long to grab a few fiction novels he wanted to read.

  “See you around,” said Jasper, taking the cash for his other books. "And you keep the Magicante safe for me."

  "Will do. I can't wait to really look through it."

  What. A. Geek. Meghan laughed to herself.

  Colin ignored the thought, too immersed in new pages to ruffle through.

  The trio walked out of the tent and headed back into the festival crowd, making their way to the main road, where they were to meet up with Uncle Arnon and the Jendayas. They got to the road with just seconds to spare as Sebastien’s father, Milo, pulled up his car.

  Colin bounded to the rolled down window and showed them his new acquisition. After the youngsters piled into the back seat, the group headed to a small café, which resided in an out of use lighthouse at the end of the lake. Desserts were their specialty, in particular, the Whoopie Pie. Today’s flavor: maple molasses, which included a layer of maple cream in between two round, chocolaty molasses cakes.

  The group headed back to the central part of town to see what band was playing, and after a few more hours, Uncle Arnon decided it was time to head back home as they were walking and he wanted to get home before dark. The Jendayas were staying in town to meet up with some local friends.

  Sebastien worried about leaving the twins on their own, even for just the next few hours. But he and his parents had a meeting to attend—under the guise of visiting with friends in town. Mostly, he needed to give a full report to Amelia Cobb, the leader of his clan, and the woman who hired him to do this job.

  Funny, though, that between his thoughts and the hum of the car rolling down the road, his exhausted brain tried to pull him into sleep in minutes. He missed the wary smile of his parents from the front seat, but he could still hear the hushed whispers that passed between them.

  "I'm worried about him, Milo."

  "I know. Me too. Perhaps…." He sighed and didn't finish. Kay didn't need to hear him voice it, because she was thinking it too. This was asking too much of their young son. He was already far more involved than they ever wanted him to be—not the life or the cause, but by becoming so close to the twins. And their future was murky, at best. It wouldn't be easy for Sebastien to accept if he lost them. Heck, it wouldn't be easy for any of them because they all saw Meghan and Colin like their own at this point.

  Kay changed the subject. "How about that book Colin just happened to buy?"

  "I was wondering if you picked up on that. Arnon, too."

  "He did. I saw him trying to let it roll off, but it caught him off guard. We've waite
d all these years and now, it's just happening all so fast. Like it can't be stopped."

  "Just like Amelia said it would," reminded Milo. "Fate will find them…." He repeated the words he'd heard so many times.

  "Yes. But the real question is, how did a book like that end up in a flea market? Who put it there? It wasn't us. It certainly wasn't them." She spoke of the gypsies in the camp.

  "That is troubling, because it leaves few options."

  "Mainly, it leaves their father."

  Milo's head twisted to see his wife, her strained features matching his own.

  If the theory was correct and they were right about who the twin's father was, it made no sense to give Colin this book of magic he wouldn't understand, along with access to ancient and powerful magic mostly forgotten by the modern magical world. But that in itself only added another notch in the column of probability of who the twin's father was. Because he was as aged as the magic in that book.

  Or was this just fate working its own form of magic?

  Or was this a sign? That their father had found them?

  Neither idea offered any comfort on the long drive into the Maine woods.

  “Magicante is such old and powerful magic,” Milo mumbled. "Wiped out for a reason. It's dangerous in the wrong hands."

  "Or such young ones," Kay said. "Colin has no idea how to wield such power. And even if the twin’s father is who we all think it is, even with his blood running through their veins, could they—Colin—control such power?”

  “Maybe control isn’t what he’s looking for,” Milo returned ominously. “They are still young. They know nothing of their past, or who they are, or about the prophecy...they could easily be swayed to their father’s side, if not by choice, by force. Or ancient magic used wrong.”

  “Amelia’s not going to like it,” Kay added barely audibly.

  “I don’t like it,” said Milo. “If their father has found them, and somehow corrupts them before we even have the chance to put our plan in motion....” he stopped, shaking his head. “I can’t believe I just said that. They're still just kids. Good kids that I love very much.”